THE government has released a list of schools interested in becoming academies which are state funded yet free from council control.

It was revealed on Friday that five of the borough's 83 schools have expressed an interest in the change.

Schools rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted can be fast-tracked to become academies as early as September.

There are two in Ealing on the government's list - Blair Peach Primary School, in Southall, and Brentside Primary School, in Hanwell.

The other three are Drayton Manor High School, in Hanwell; Northolt High School, in Northolt; and Wood End Junior School, in Greenford.

But just because the government data, published through Freedom of Information laws, reveals they have shown an interest, it does not mean the schools definitely want to make the change.

Anne Hayes, headteacher of Wood End Junior School, said: "It's the responsibility of the head and governors to explore every avenue of advantage for our children and parents.

"No commitment has been made and as we're not an 'outstanding' school - we're a 'good' school with outstanding features - we wouldn't be considered at the moment."

Sir Pritpal Singh, headteacher of Drayton Manor High School, added: "We're just doing the responsible thing as a governing body and exploring the options. We're not at a decision-making stage."

Nick Grant, Ealing secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said Ealing's lack of enthusiasm for academies, with only five expressing an interest, is typical of the national picture.

He said: "This is an incredibly small response to a policy which the secretary of state claims is incredibly popular. Many of the schools in the national list are private already, independent or grammar schools.

"It would be foolish of any governing body to decide to become an academy when the Academies Bill is still being debated. It won't be completed

until September at the earliest.

"And there is nothing in the bill about making sure teachers, parents and governing bodies are consulted beforehand."

The Department of Education denied there would be a lack of consultation and said the fast-track offer would not have been made if it was not completely confident of the bill going through as planned.

It also said more than 1,500 schools registering an interest nationally was not a small response.

Council leader Julian Bell added: "I have serious concerns about the prospect of schools moving away from local authority control.

"Standards in education have improved significantly over the past 10 years through investment and the council and schools working closely together. My fear is if you take away our strategic role, this could be put in jeopardy."

Blair Peach and Brentside primaries and Northolt High School declined to comment.